NAWT Training Courses

Training

NAWT Online Course Request

Please use this form if your local state association is interested in requesting NAWT sponsored training in your area.This is a request to host or sponsor a class. If you are looking to attend a class, please click our Training Tab for scheduled courses.

Inspector Certificate of Completion Training

The National Association of Wastewater Technicians (NAWT), was formed in April of 1985. The purpose of the organization was to provide an effective voice at the national level for the industry to provide a diverse set of services to maintain a healthful environment. The association also expressed the desire to “disseminate information and service as a communication and education conduit for the industry.”

As a result of this purpose NAWT developed and launched a successful national Certificate of Completion program for individual onsite wastewater treatment (septic) system inspection. The inspection education program incorporated the USEPA proposed five management levels to provide the rationale and basis for inspecting onsite wastewater treatment systems. Over the past six years this has resulted in the training and examination of over 3,000 inspectors. Currently there are over 1,400 inspectors registered on the NAWT website.

As a part of this EPA supported project, NAWT trainers conducted “train the trainer” sessions, which resulted in establishment of trainers in California, Texas, Colorado, and Iowa. Continuing series of inspection education programs using the NAWT approach are required in Arizona, Delaware and New Mexico. Other states are working to establish education and Certificate of Completion programs for time of sale inspections.

The NAWT level of inspection is at the operation level. It requires the inspector to locate and identify all parts of the onsite treatment system. Then the inspector needs to assess the condition of each part and determine whether it is operating properly or if there are system deficiencies to be corrected. To do this requires that all parts of the system be accessible and opened for inspection. This includes septic tanks, pump chambers, pretreatment media filters, aerobic treatment units and soil treatment units.

The NAWT program requires inspectors to complete 8 hours of continuing education every 2 years to maintain their Certificate of Completion. There is an annual fee for maintenance of this credential.

NAWT regularly sponsors training courses at locations around the country. In addition they work with state associations in California, Delaware, New Mexico, Colorado, Indiana, and Texas to provide regular training opportunities. To inquire about bringing a training course to your area contact Robert Patterson, NAWT Executive Director, 2800 W. Higgins Rd, Suite 440, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169, 800-236-6298 or info@nawt.org.

Operation and Maintenance Training Parts 1 and 2

NAWT is a member of the Consortium of Institutes for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment (CIDWT). The CIDWT has been instrumental with the assistance of funding from the USEPA to prepare standard educational materials that can be used nationwide. They developed both a University and Practitioner curriculum and then followed this with a comprehensive manual and set of training materials on Operation and Maintenance. They have also conducted train the trainer sessions on the development of training courses and the use of the materials. NAWT participated at all stages of development of these materials.

The CIDWT training is conducted over a period of four days. The NAWT Board of Directors determined that a session of this length was not practical for independent pumpers to be away from their businesses for that length of time. They also felt it was very important that these sessions incorporate field and hands on experience opportunities. Therefore, the training was split into two parts, with the first part concentrating on business aspects of O and M and the operation and maintenance required for conventional systems including trenches, beds, mounds and at-grades with some aerobic tank discussion. The second part concentrates more specifically on Aerobic Tanks, drip irrigation, single pass and re-circulating media filters. Both parts are conducted over a two day period, with a field hands on session and an exam administered at the conclusion. Currently NAWT is also developing a series of one day sessions that can be done in sequence to better fit schedules of independent pumpers that want to perform O and M services.

Just as with the inspection course NAWT will record and have available on their web site www.NAWT.org a record of those pumpers that have passed the Certificate of Completion exams by state with their contact information.

Vacuum Truck Technician Training

The Vacuum Truck Technician training course is targeted to those that own or operate a vacuum truck which is used to clean septic tanks, aerobic treatment units, holding tanks or grease traps. It is directed specifically at owners and employees who may just be starting in business and need a good solid base of information to work with to perform their daily tasks. At the same time this one day training provides a good refresher and overview for even experienced operators.

Topics of instruction include:

Materials to pump and avoid

Government regulations

Truck equipment and components

Drive and Control mechanisms

Basic and advanced pump out skills and procedures

Loading and unloading

Safety and emergency response plans

Customer interaction and education

Reasons to manage these materials

Basic science of vacuum and pressurization

Pumps

Basic Pump Truck Operation

Manifests and reports

This training is done through the use of presentations, videos and hands on exercises with a pump truck. The program has been developed with a grant from the USEPA, funding provided through the NAWT Education program and in partnership with the National Onsite Wastewater Education and Research Foundation, Inc. and the Pennsylvania Septage Management Association (PSMA). The PSMA has developed and conducts a “train the trainer” program so that the course can be presented in your state or within your company.

Onsite Installer Certificate of Completion Professional Training

The NAWT Certificate of Completion installer program began in partnership with Cole Publishing to present a one-day course specifically for installers that could be presented in a format that corresponded with Education Day at the Pumper and Cleaner Environmental Expo. To obtain a Certificate of Completion your are required to complete an exam at the end of the course. Currently the NAWT program is still a program covering the following topic

Planning and site evaluation

Installing sewage tanks and ATUs

Installing below ground systems

Installing above ground systems

Installing pumps and pump stations

Installing media filters

Additional material has been added incorporating some of the CIDWT developed installer materials. This includes information on surveying and OSHA soil evaluation.

NAWT is currently moving to offer the ability to provide the NEHA Installer Credential Exams at the end of the workshop. NAWT will either provide the proctor for these exams or work with the program sponsors or state associations to have a proctor approved to proctor the exams. NAWT will continue to offer the Certificate of Completion exam by agreement with the sponsoring organization.

To date this course has been presented to more than 800 installers. NAWT will continue to work to incorporate new materials and work with NEHA to offer on a wider basis their credential exams.